An exhaustive and authoritative investigation into the Christadelphians with links from their own sources as well as insights from former members. Complete examination of their history, organisation, theology, practices, and the challenges they face.

Broad Expectations

The focus of the Christadelphians is based upon the Jewish state of Israel and prophecies
found in the Old Testament believed to relate to its restoration. To understand
their perspective fully requires some grasp of the structure and progression of
the Old Testament. The belief is that a future kingdom of God is to be established
soon on the earth and the Jewish state is a fulfilment of Bible prophecy intended
to lead to this. This is largely based upon Old Testament views of the kingdom
of God that were related to a physical kingdom set up by two kings in particular,
David and Solomon, and prophecies they were given that their kingdom would last
forever.

The kingdom expected is therefore based upon a restoration of the kingdom of ancient
Israel and it is expected to be run along similar lines. The initial Jewish
kingdom split into two - one half (called Israel) was taken over by the Assyrians,
the other half (called Judah) was taken over by the Babylonians. The Jewish
people were made slaves by the occupying forces and removed from their lands.
Prior to this their prophets warned them of the pending dangers of these “captivities”.
They interpreted the looming threats as a consequence of disobedience in not following
God’s law and intents with all their hearts. They proclaimed that a full turning
to God through national repentance would have forestalled this. They also
predicted it would not be permanent, that a remnant would return, and that through
a restored Jewish nation promises given to the Jewish founders (or patriarchs) to
be a blessing to all nations would be fulfilled. This Jewish hope is “the
hope of Israel” that Christadelphians look forward to.

They do not believe the New Testament spiritualises or alters this hope and it is
understood in a thoroughly material sense, as indeed in the Old Testament it reads.
They place Jesus therefore into the role of a literal human ruler, with a literal
kingdom, a literal throne and a literal army. Taking it to its natural conclusions
and literal Old Testament expectations, Christadelphians expect a literal temple
to be built (based upon Ezekiel 40) which people will visit each year and expect
the Law of Moses
and animal sacrifices to be re-introduced.

There is an order attached to the fulfilment of these things. At present the
existing forms of human government are understood to be “the kingdoms of men” and
the future restored kingdom is to be “the kingdom of God”. The king in this
scenario is Jesus and his return (also called the “advent” or “second coming”) is
central to this. That is why the whole of the historical
Christadelphian speculations have been in reference to the “return of Christ”.

The kingdom is not a democracy, but is very firmly based upon a form of central
government. Jesus as king is assisted by a group called “the saints” which
are those people who believe the Truth as understood by Christadelphians and are
found faithful at an event called “the judgment”. Some would allow today the
possibility those with non Christadelphian beliefs will be among these faithful
people, but historically this was rejected. The faithful, led by Jesus will
rule with “a rod of iron” and dispense perfect righteousness as a result.
Before this is possible “the saints” have to be firmly decided and therefore Christadelphians
expect a judgment to occur. This is not a judgment of everyone, but is a judgment
of those who know God’s purpose. A few Christadelphians historically have
limited it further to only those who both knew and were baptised.

The faithful are also made immortal and are sinless as a result of a changed nature.
A division occurred historically over whether the faithful would be raised mortal
or immortal. The mainstream view is that they are raised mortal, with immortality
being granted as a result of being accepted. Those who are found “not worthy”
are condemned to die again as “the beasts that perish” an event which is called
“the second death”. Christadelphians reject any idea of hell. There
are a few difficulties in view of passages suggesting proportional punishment as
a result of deeds that have not really been addressed.

Most people will not be involved in this judgment and if they survive the events
that lead up to this “new
world order” they become what Christadelphians call “the mortal population”.
For 1000 years two groups live side by side. There are the saints who are
immortal, live forever and are like the angels. They neither marry nor have
children but lead lives promoting holiness and rule justly. There is also
a mortal population who do marry and have children. It is for their spiritual
development that the saints exist. As a benefit of living under righteous
rule the mortal population has an extended lifespan. This is not unconditional
because any form of rebellion is impossible. The nations of the world have
to attend Jerusalem to keep God’s festivals on a periodic basis. It is in
essence a religious dictatorship, but with beneficial results of justice, order
and restoration of ill.

At the same time as being under a natural order of arrangement based upon a form
of central rule, there are a few supernatural elements in play in this kingdom.
We have mentioned the longer lifespan, but in addition the whole natural arrangement
is altered. Verses from the poetic books of the Bible about lions lying down
with lambs are taken literally too. How the supernatural changes in the natural
world align with a very natural arrangement of the kingdom are not explained.

The millennium or thousand years (based upon one chapter in the symbolic book of
Revelation taken literally) ends with a rebellion against the system of divine government.
This rebellion is overcome and the 1000 years of a mortal population living with
an immortal population also ends with a final judgment. This time because
knowledge of the truth as understood by Christadelphians is far greater a lot more
people are judged and there are more saints. After this expectations get a
lot more vague. God is “all in all”. There is only immortality.
There is no more pain, suffering or evil.